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  We have been asked to write a blog about how God called us to this mission trip so this is my story…

 

    I have to say my love for missions started on my first mission trip to Arkansas.  We were starting a site through Youth Works in Marvell.  This was my first exposure to spending a week just helping others and spending time with God.  I remember scraping off the paint of a house in the 105 degree heat (I think that was in the shade) and knowing this is part of my greater purpose.  I loved the idea of getting to know the community and the people.  We were exposed to the very relevant problem of segregation still taking place in the south (remind you this was the year 2000).  I remember trying to comfort a boy that was being abused and burned with cigarettes.  I tried to get help for him but I remember a counselor saying there was nothing they could do as so many of the kids were abused.  I was so amazed at the fact that we would sit and watch these kids fall through the cracks.  I had a lot to learn about real life on this trip and I realized I  grew so much and I only wanted more.

    I later went to the Blackfeet reservation in Montana. This experience was a different one in that we were working with Native Americans.  It was a very poor community but it was still just as neat to be a support to a family.  I remember learning about the culture and learning a pow wow dance and sleeping in Tipis.   When I graduated High school I had the opportunity to be a leader for our youth group at church.  First we did a trip in “our own back yard”.  We stayed in Minneapolis which was so great.  It really reminded me that our mission work does not need to go to the ends of the earth.  There are people hurting right where we live.   We also went to Mexico which I remember being really HOT! I do also remember how sweet the Mexican people were.  I remember building a one room house (i think it was 12×12) that would be the home for 4 people. YIKES. But this family was so appreciative, it really put my life in to perspective.  And to think we are so concerned about personal space! 
   Now these experiences were just the beginning to my desire to serve others.  Remind you God had already placed the passion in my heart I just didn’t know it yet.  About a year ago I went to Guatemala with friends of mine to serve a small rural community. I remember thinking when I got back that I really felt God had purpose for me in missions.  I loved the idea but brushed it off.  I was a nurse with a new career so to satisfy my hearts desre I thought I could go on a mission trip a year.   But in my life I was still striving for what a lot of Americans strive for stability, safety, a house, a car, and all the modern comforts.  With this I was starting to feel complacent and bored.  
   I had heard about The World Race about a year ago.  I thought it would be so cool if I could do it but I couldn’t I had a job now and bills to pay.   But about month ago I was sitting in church(I normally would be listening to the sermon but God was distracting me), I was feeling restless in my spirit and the thought of The World Race came in to my mind.  I could not stop thinking about it… the more I told myself NO I couldn’t  the Lord said YES you can.  Finally I just prayed long and hard about it and the Lord gave me overwhelming peace and said it’s ok you are going to go.  So I stopped arguing and said well I guess I’m going.  Praise God he won!  When I start to put limits on God I want to remember He is limitless.